‘DWTS’ host: Lochte protesters rushing stage was ‘unnerving’

“It’s not uncommon for there to be a lot of noise here, a lot of cheering, a lot of jeering when people don’t like the judges’ comments”, Bergeron, 61, said on GMA Tuesday morning.

Lochte was visibly shocked during the incident as one of the stage invaders who got the closest to him was violently tackled by security.

“Hey, back off”, Inaba said as the altercation was occurring off screen. The two were arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor trespassing and held on $1,000 bail each. The outlet also notes that while the overall audience for the show is more or less stable throughout seasons, last night’s ratings mark an increase in the key ratings demographic of nearly 25 percent. Pros Derek Hough and Maksim Chmerkovskiy have spoken out in support of their Season 23 castmate and judge Carrie Ann Inaba praised the security team for their swift action. A number for Soroudi could not be found.

But his dancing skills weren’t what attracted the most attention during his debut performance – it was the two protesters who crashed Monday night’s show on ABC.

Los Angeles police have identified the men on stage as Sam Satoodeh and Barzeen Soroudi.

Lochte told Bergeron that “so many feelings are going through my head right now”. “But I came out here; I wanted to do something that I’m completely not comfortable with, and I did”.

ABC on Tuesday released video of the incident, which was not seen by audiences at home when Bergeron cut to a commercial on Monday night.

Lochte and Burke got a respectable score of 24 for their dance but were topped by US Olympic gymnast Laurie Hernandez and her partner with 31.

Lochte has been the subject of scrutiny ever since he was caught lying about an incident with police in Rio de Janeiro during the recent Summer Olympics. Lochte was suspended from the US swimming team for 10 months, the Post reports, and has become the poster boy for white male privilege.